Aleix Espargaró, a well-known cycling enthusiast and resident of Andorra, once again found himself in the spotlight at the Andorra Cycling Masters. There, he reflected on his unique sporting journey, combining his participation in the MotoGP championship with professional cycling races. Espargaró confirmed that he has no plans to leave the peloton and will continue competing for the American team Lidl-Trek.
This year, the Catalan successfully balanced racing for Honda in MotoGP with competing for the Lidl-Trek Development Team. At the event in Andorra, he expressed his joy at being part of such an unusual setup: urban circuits and mountain stages, he said, represent modern trends in sport. Espargaró noted that these kinds of innovations make cycling more engaging for both spectators and participants.
The Honda rider admitted that he cannot single out a favorite among the star competitors. He emphasized that he is acquainted with Primož Roglič and has raced alongside Isaac del Toro. In his view, every top athlete deserves respect, and choosing the best is extremely difficult.
Reflecting on the past season, Espargaró noted that juggling two professional disciplines proved to be extremely challenging. He highlighted that the project with Lidl-Trek brought him a lot of enjoyment despite the heavy workload. A special place in his memories belongs to his debut at the WorldTour race in Austria, where del Toro claimed overall victory.
Nevertheless, the athlete does not hide the fact that the year was full of challenges. The constant need to stay in shape, follow a strict diet, and recover after strenuous training demanded maximum dedication. Espargaro admitted that due to intense concentration and fatigue, he experienced several crashes, but believes the experience was worth the effort.
Despite the fatigue and doubts that arose at the end of the season, Espargaro confirmed that he will continue his partnership with Lidl-Trek. He noted that next year promises to be even more intense due to increased work with Honda, but he intends to find a balance between the two directions. The athlete is currently on vacation, and after returning, he plans to discuss possible races for the new season with the team.
Speaking about motorcycle racing, Espargaro expressed satisfaction with Honda’s progress and noted Marc Márquez’s achievements despite his injury. According to the Catalan, the team has made significant progress, and he is proud of their joint efforts.
In 2025, Espargaro participated in six competition days, covering 785 kilometers on both road and gravel tracks. Among his accomplishments was a seventh-place finish at the UCI Gravel World Series stage in Murcia and taking part in the Tour of Austria, where he competed alongside del Toro. Despite not winning, Espargaro believes he gained invaluable experience and proved himself under intense competition.
Although his name does not appear on the official Lidl-Trek Future roster, the team is considering his participation in select races if a development license is obtained. The race calendar will be determined soon to coordinate his schedule with MotoGP commitments.
Meanwhile, young rider Héctor Álvarez is preparing for the season with a development team license. His program includes competing in WorldTour races and youth events, allowing him to gain experience while remaining available for national teams. In 2027, Álvarez plans to make a full transition to the main WorldTour roster.
